Friday, September 01, 2006

The Next New Jersey Gold Coast?

From the Courier Post Online:

Camden doesn't have to be America's poorest city

The city has potential to draw in new residents and businesses and lift itself out of the bottom of some dubious rankings.

It's no coincidence that America's most dangerous city for two years running is now, according to U.S. Census data, also America's poorest city.

Camden's median household income is just $18,007 a year, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Imagine raising a family on that annual income and it's easy to see why Camden is the poorest among all communities with at least 65,000 residents. It's also easy to understand why crime flourishes in Camden.
...
Camden doesn't have to be this way. It has things to offer such as its fantastic views of downtown Philadelphia, its Waterfront attractions, its higher education and cultural institutions, its rich history and its numerous transportation links.

Despite what some may say, it's not impossible for Camden to lift itself and its residents out of its current state. But to do so will take a concrete plan and, more importantly, government, school and community leaders focused singularly on implementing that plan. What Camden doesn't need is leaders who are more interested in keeping jobs and other benefits for themselves and their friends and political allies while allowing things to remain status quo.

Camden has potential. But it will take bold leaders and bold actions, not just talk, to lift Camden from being America's poorest and most dangerous city.

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Which political genius had the brilliant idea to put the state aquarium and USS NJ battleship in Camden to bring torism dollars? It won't be likely to uplift the place. I for one, will never venture into Camden with my kids. Never.

9/01/2006 06:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We went to the aquarium and we only had that "hair standing up on the back of our necks" feeling once..when we drove out and around the surrounding streets on a 7-11 hunt.

The weird part was that it was a beautiful Spring afternoon and nobody was out, nobody. The streets were empty. Not a soul.

Got out of Dodge fast. No wonder that aquarium is never packed. If it had been put in Belmar or someplace off the Pkwy., more people would go.

Somebody [maybe the Parking Expert can do it as a special project] should market Camden to Hollywood for moving filming. It's perfect.

Camden has an excellent shot for renewal, but only if Philly goes up and drags it along. I'm not seeing jobs put in down there independently.


Pat

9/01/2006 06:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If the state put the same level of effort that they put into Long Branch into Camden, the city could get off the mat.

Long Branch is in far better shape than a decade ago, but I don't think people realize just how much state money was poured into the place.

BTW, they should leave the MTOTSA neighborhood alone.

Lindsey

9/01/2006 10:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Somebody [maybe the Parking Expert can do it as a special project] should market Camden to Hollywood for moving filming. It's perfect.

You can probably get better tax incentives shooting in Detroit...

9/01/2006 12:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Camden should be declared a zero-tax zone for at least 10 years. No corporate tax, no sales tax, no income tax, no property tax. Oh, and no whining about gentrification, by law.

That would do it.

9/01/2006 12:55:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

they should take the
bulldozer to this town.

along with a few others.

9/01/2006 12:56:00 PM  

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